Manchester City and PSG set for summer transfer battle over Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche

By: Shawn
Manchester City are preparing to rival Paris Saint-Germain in the pursuit of Monaco’s highly-rated midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, according to French outlet L'Équipe. However, any concrete move from the Premier League champions is believed to be contingent on their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

'Maghnes Akliouche.'
Getty Images 

The 22-year-old playmaker has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s most promising attacking midfielders, registering eight assists and two goals in a breakthrough campaign for AS Monaco. With speculation mounting over his summer departure, Akliouche has become a prime target for both Pep Guardiola’s City and Luis Enrique’s PSG.

City are expected to significantly revamp their midfield this summer, particularly with Kevin De Bruyne set to leave at the end of the season. Akliouche’s creativity and versatility make him a fitting candidate for Guardiola’s evolving squad, but the report indicates that the player’s camp is prioritising top-tier European football—a requirement that City are still fighting to secure.

This weekend’s 5–2 victory over Crystal Palace gave City a critical boost in their chase for a top-four finish, enhancing their Champions League prospects with just weeks left in the Premier League season.

Meanwhile, PSG’s interest in Akliouche has intensified after the French giants failed in their attempts to sign Mohamed Salah, who recently committed his future to Liverpool. The Parisian side now view the Monaco midfielder as a vital piece in their long-term domestic and continental ambitions.

Akliouche’s stock continues to rise amid Monaco’s push to secure a second-place finish in Ligue 1, a position that ensures Champions League qualification. Manager Adi Hütter and sporting director Thiago Scuro have both confirmed that the club is expecting summer bids, further signalling a likely departure.

With both Manchester City and PSG eyeing midfield reinforcements, Akliouche's decision may ultimately rest on which club can guarantee him a Champions League stage next season. As the race heats up, Europe's elite are closely watching Monaco’s rising star. SA

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING!

RB Leipzig in talks to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland in summer 2025

Image
‎RB Leipzig have initiated discussions with Jobe Bellingham as the Bundesliga club intensifies its efforts to secure the Sunderland midfielder for the 2025-26 season. According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Leipzig has thoroughly assessed Bellingham's profile, who is under contract with Sunderland until 2028. Despite recognizing the high cost of signing the 19-year-old, Leipzig has made him a priority target for the upcoming summer transfer window. ‎ ‎' Jobe Bellingham. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎Bellingham, who has gained considerable attention for his performances with Sunderland, could potentially follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Jude Bellingham, by making a move to Germany. Borussia Dortmund, another prominent Bundesliga club, is also reported to be interested in the young midfielder. The German side believes they can persuade him to join, particularly due to his brother's successful tenure with the club before his recent transfer to ...
Read more

‎SUSPENDED! Enzo Maresca hit with touchline ban after wild Chelsea celebration at Fulham

Image
‎Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will be absent from the touchline for the Blues’ next Premier League fixture after receiving a one-match suspension. The ban follows his exuberant celebrations during Chelsea’s thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. ‎ ‎' Enzo Maresca. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎The west London derby delivered late drama, with Chelsea turning the game on its head in the final moments. Trailing with under ten minutes remaining, the Blues levelled through Tyrique George before Pedro Neto netted a 93rd-minute winner, sparking wild scenes among the Chelsea contingent. ‎ ‎Maresca, unable to contain his emotions, left the technical area and joined in the celebrations that spilled onto the pitch. The passionate reaction earned him a yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor—his third of the season—triggering an automatic one-match suspension under Premier League rules. ‎ ‎“It was a beautiful moment,” Maresca explained post-match. “We fough...
Read more

Manchester United transfer targets: 8 goalkeepers to fix Onana crisis

Image
Manchester United’s 2024/25 campaign has revealed glaring deficiencies across the pitch — but none more pressing than the situation in goal. The Red Devils, already battling inconsistency in attack and vulnerability in defence, are now confronting a full-blown goalkeeper crisis. ' David de Gea ' and ' André Onana. ' Getty Images (2) Since joining from Inter Milan in 2023, André Onana has failed to deliver the reliability demanded of a Manchester United No.1. Despite his moments of excellence, the Cameroonian has been prone to critical errors — including in costly defeats to Bayern Munich, Brighton, and Wolves. His once-celebrated distribution has also faltered in the Premier League, and he has looked increasingly uncertain when dealing with high balls and set pieces. With Onana’s form under scrutiny and patience running thin, United must act. Whether they opt for a seasoned veteran, a high-potential talent, or a short-term solution until 2026, change is ess...
Read more

Andre Onana under fire again: Ranking the 15 worst blunders of Man United's costly No.1

Image
‎As Manchester United prepare for a crucial Europa League second leg against Lyon, all eyes will inevitably fall on their most scrutinised figure—Andre Onana. Once hailed for his ball-playing ability and composure under pressure, the Cameroonian goalkeeper has become a lightning rod for criticism, controversy, and costly mistakes. His return to the starting XI at Old Trafford marks a pivotal moment—not just for United’s season, but potentially for Onana’s future at the club. ‎ ' André Onana. ' ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎The past week has only intensified the spotlight. After a post-Manchester derby interview in which Onana confidently claimed United were "way better" than Lyon, his words were thrown back at him—most notably by former Red Devil Nemanja Matic, who labelled him "one of the worst goalkeepers in the history of Manchester United." Onana’s social media response added fuel to the fire, and a blundering performance in the 2-2 draw in France ensure...
Read more

Chelsea to send more wonderkids to Strasbourg after Andrey Santos' successful loan spell

Image
‎Chelsea FC are set to deepen their strategic partnership with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, as two of the Premier League club’s brightest young prospects—Mathis Amougou and Kendry Paez—are primed for season-long loan moves to the French outfit for the 2025–26 campaign. ‎ ‎' Mathis Amougou. ' ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎The potential transfers come on the back of a highly productive loan spell for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who flourished under the guidance of Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior during the 2024–25 season. Santos' development and contributions in midfield have not gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca eager to integrate him into the senior squad ahead of this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. ‎ ‎According to reports from L'Équipe, 19-year-old Amougou, a French youth international, is among the next wave of young Blues heading to Stade de la Meinau. The promising centre-back arrived at Chelsea from Saint-Étienne in J...
Read more

Ruben Amorim comments on Antony's future after loan success at Real Betis

Image
‎Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has addressed questions surrounding Antony’s future following the Brazilian winger's impressive loan spell at Real Betis. ‎ ‎' Anthony. ' ‎Getty Images  ‎ ‎Antony joined Real Betis on loan in January after struggling to make an impact at Manchester United, under both former manager Erik ten Hag and Amorim, who took charge later in the season. Since his move to Spain, the winger has enjoyed a revival in form, contributing eight goals and assists in just 12 appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. ‎ ‎Given his resurgence, speculation has grown over whether Antony will return to Manchester United's first team next season. However, Amorim has made it clear that no option to buy was included in the loan deal with Betis, ensuring that the winger will return to United once the loan term concludes. ‎ ‎Addressing the issue, Amorim told the media, “Antony to return? I’m planning the future but I don’t want to talk about the fut...
Read more

Amorim's secret to success: How Ruben Amorim managed to beat Pep Guardiola twice and aims for a third victory this weekend

Image
‎Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese coach who has had remarkable success against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City this season, has shared his approach to overcoming the Premier League giants. With a history of two wins against Guardiola's team, Amorim now aims to secure a third victory when Manchester United hosts Manchester City this weekend. ‎ ‎' Ruben Amorim ', ' Pep Guardiola. ' ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎In the current season, Amorim’s Sporting side stunned City with a dominant 4-1 win in the Champions League group stage. This victory was followed by a thrilling comeback victory with Manchester United in December, when Amorim's team triumphed against Guardiola's side with a late surge. As both teams prepare to face each other once again, Amorim has shed light on what he believes contributed to his success. ‎ ‎Speaking to the press, Amorim humbly admitted that luck played a significant role in his victories. He said, "The secret [to beating City]...
Read more

Jack Grealish pays tribute to Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City exit announcement

Image
‎Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has paid heartfelt tribute to Kevin De Bruyne following the Belgian midfielder’s announcement that he will leave the club this summer. The news marks the end of a glittering era at the Etihad for De Bruyne, who has been a cornerstone of City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola. ‎ ‎' Jack Grealish ' Ft. ' Manchester City. ' ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎De Bruyne, 33, confirmed his impending departure earlier this week via a personal message to supporters. The midfielder has been integral to Manchester City's recent success, amassing 15 major trophies—including six Premier League titles in the last seven seasons. ‎ ‎Tributes from across the football world have poured in, and among the most poignant was Grealish’s Instagram post, where the England international shared a collage of photos featuring the pair on and off the pitch. At the center of the post, Grealish wrote: "One of the reasons I joined City was to play alongside you b...
Read more

Benzema vs Ronaldo: Golden Boot race intensifies ahead of Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr showdown

Image
‎Karim Benzema reaffirmed his team-first mindset after Al Ittihad’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Ettifaq on Sunday, pushing the Jeddah-based club another step closer to their first Saudi Pro League (SPL) title since 2009. The French striker, who found the net in the high-stakes clash, brushed aside questions about the league's top scorer race with a pointed and memorable response. ‎ Karim Benzema snubs Golden Boot race, eyes Saudi Pro League title with Al Ittihad. ‎Getty Images (2) ‎ ‎“I don’t care about this, my friend. The most important thing is the trophy,” Benzema said in the mixed zone, emphasizing his focus on team silverware rather than personal accolades. ‎ ‎With 68 points from 29 matches, Al Ittihad now sit six points clear of second-placed Al Hilal, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr trailing further behind on 58. The win puts Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in pole position as the season nears its dramatic conclusion. ‎ ‎The Golden Boot race remains tightly conte...
Read more